Great addition Ryan!!! Paretroplus are relatively undemanding except for ample space as they grow large. This species is very active and curious, they will spend time searching in the substrate so a sandy substrate is good to have. The essential rule with all Malagasy cichlids arises from the lack of defenses against Ich. Even specimens that have had multiple ich infections, will develop diasese albeit less extensively. To avoid this, always quarenten new fish and avoid adding anything that may harbor ich to your Malagasy tank.

I had my first ever ich outbreak (minor) in my South American tank. Must have come in with some silver dollars. After treating them, I replaced the UV bulbs on both of my tanks, and set up a spare 75g as a quarantine tank.

The seem to be enjoying eating duckweed. I've been growing some in another tank to use as a nitrate "buffer" in the main tanks (even though I change the water frequently). I figured the duck weed would also provide some nice top cover. Turns out the maculatus are enjoying it as a snack almost as much as the frozen blood worms I feed them as a treat.